Hypertext Webster Gateway: "gayest"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Gay \Gay\, a. [Compar. {Gayer}; superl. {Gayest}.] [F. gai,
perhaps fr. OHG. g?hi swift, rapid, G. g["a]h, j["a]h, steep,
hasty; or cf. OHG. w?hi beatiful, good. Cf. {Jay}.]
1. Excited with merriment; manifesting sportiveness or
delight; inspiring delight; livery; merry.

Belinda smiled, and all the world was gay. --Pope.

Gay hope is theirs by fancy fed. --Gray.

2. Brilliant in colors; splendid; fine; richly dressed.

Why is my neighbor's wife so gay? --Chaucer.

A bevy of fair women, richly gay In gems and wanton
dress! --Milton.

3. Loose; dissipated; lewd. [Colloq.]

Syn: Merry; gleeful; blithe; airy; lively; sprightly,
sportive; light-hearted; frolicsome; jolly; jovial;
joyous; joyful; glad; showy; splendid; vivacious.


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